The Crazy-Eights incident of 2001

The Crazy-Eights incident was an incident that occured on May 15 2001 due to an operation error. Since then, it has been the one of the most famous runaway incidents and has inspired the 2010 movie "Unstoppable". Fortunately, nobody got hurt.

A wrong move
Its May 15 2001, and a CSX engineer was attempting to move a string of freight cars from track K12 to track D10 for departure on another train at Stanley Yard in Walbridge, Ohio. The train consisted of CSX SD40-2 #8888, with it was carrying 47 freight cars, with 25 empty and 22 fully loaded, including two tank cars containing thousands f gallons of molten phenol, a toxic ingredient used in paints, glues, and dyes that is harmful when inhaled, ingested, or coming into contact with the skin.

While leaving the yard, the engineer noticed a misalinged switch. He, while the train was moving slowly, would not be able to set the points correctly in time. To counter this, he decided to apply the independant air brakes and attempted the set the dynamic brakes, which failed. During mainline operation, he would also have applied the automatic air brake, which would set the brakes in each of the train's cars. But, as is normal for intra-yard movements, the air brakes of the train were disconnected from the locomotive and thus were not functional. However, applying a locomotives air brakes disables the dead mans switch, rendering it useless.

The engineer then set the throttle to Notch 8 (full throttle), however since the dynamic brakes weren't on, instead of the train slowing to a crawl, the train instead accelerated.

The engineer climbed down from the cab and set the points correctly, however since he put 8888 in full throttle, he attempted to board his locomotive, slipped, and was dragged about 80 feet from the tracks, with 8888 having no intentions of stopping.

Its a runaway!
The train rolled out of the yard and began a 65-mile journey south through northwest Ohio unmanned. Ahead of the train was a portable derailer, however it failed as the force of the locomotive was so heavy it broke the derailer.

Then they reached Toledo, Ohio.

Shoot to kill
The local police of Toledo got an idea; shoot to kill. The idea seemed fair, use a buckshot on a rifle to hit a safety fuel cutoff switch to try and stop the locomotive.

Well guess what; doesn't work. So, the train speeds on. A few brave locals try jumping on, but they chicken out as they realize she's going way faster than usual.